Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Klopp comes a knocking at Mourinho’s door
Blues on red alert for all-out attack
JOSE MOURINHO has never faced scrutiny like the magnifying glass on his Chelsea side who lie an embarrassing 15th place in the Premier League.
He faces Jürgen Klopp in today’s early kickoff. The charismatic German has been hailed as the man to take Liverpool back to the glory days and picked up a first win against Bournemouth on Wednesday.
This fixture is always one of the most hotly anticipated in the calendar, but has added importance for Mourinho – now fighting to save his job.
Klopp will look to hit the Blues high up the pitch, so it’s crucial Mourinho deploys as much solidity in midfield as possible – for that, John Obi Mikel is a must.
The oft-maligned Nigerian will offer far more protection to the shaky backline than Cesc Fabregas.
Willian has been by far Chelsea’s best performer in these troubled weeks so he will look to dominate attacking play from the No 10 role, while the Reds’ threat from out wide will be best combated by full-backs on their natural side – this means Cesar Azpilicueta and Baba Rahman.
Chelsea’s chances will hugely vary on whether Diego Costa can return from injury. If not, Loic Remy will certainly get the nod.
Liverpool have had the lion’s share of possession in every match under Klopp so far and while they would be wise to be less cavalier today, they will still look to enforce their style on proceedings.
Most of their problems on the pitch can be rooted in a lack of control in midfield.
A central duo of Mikel and Nemanja Matic should cut off a lot of the supply for Klopp’s breakneck attacking play –
Fixtures
Today Chelsea v Liverpool, Stamford Bridge, 2:45pm West Bromwich Albion v Leicester City, The Hawthorns, 5pm Watford v West Ham, Vicarage Road, 5pm Swansea City v Arsenal, Liberty Stadium, 5pm Newcastle v Stoke City, St. James’ Park, 5pm Manchester City v Norwich City, Etihad Stadium, 5pm Crystal Palace v Manchester United, Selhurst Park, 5pm. Tomorrow Everton v Sunderland, Goodison Park, 3:30pm Southampton v Bournemouth, St. Mary’s Stadium, 6pm. while a player such as Ramires or Willian could tuck in and provide extra support.
Despite the unfavourable results, Chelsea have actually looked more comfortable on the ball in attack against Dynamo Kiev, West Ham and Stoke.
Another improved performance from Eden Hazard will cause any side problems, but it could be a case of defence being the best form of attack.
The Blues have largely relied on set-pieces – and the odd long-range screamer – for their goals. The ruthlessness and will of John Terry and Gary Cahill in the opposition box has the potential to exploit a still-dodgy backline of Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho.
If the majority of his charges still want Mourinho at the club, no other motivation should be required. Make no mistake: Lose this one and the thread will snap.
Mourinho will also point to the Reds’ underwhelming form over the past few months. There are certainly worse teams to play, even in the Blues’ current predicament.
There has been plenty of attention on Costa, but unfortunately for the Spanish striker it has been down to his ability to wind opponents up.
If he can harness that and capitalise on the increased comfort his side has shown in possession in the last couple of games he, of course, has the ability to decide this fixture.
As ever with Costa, fans will be waiting with baited breath to see if he is fit after coming off against Stoke.
Meanwhile, playmaker Philippe Coutinho has taken the mantle of dictating Liverpool’s attacking since the departures of Luis Suárez and Raheem Sterling.
He plays a more considered role than his predecessors, looking to play his teammates in from a deeper position rather than scaring the last defender witless with pace.
Mourinho must shackle the Brazilian, ensure he isn’t allowed the ball deep in the opposition half, and restrict any shooting opportunities to long range – Coutinho isn’t the most clinical of finishers.
Mourinho’s nine lives are up. He landed a one-match suspended stadium ban for his rant after capitulating 3- 1 against Southampton, then added further fuel to the fire after calling Jon Moss “f****** soft” after sending of Matic at West Ham.
The Portuguese’s antics are understood to be a key reason in the Chelsea hierarchy’s readiness to get rid of their manager, so he needs to keep a cool head.
Despite some disappointing results, English fans have only really seen the smiling, genial side of Klopp. However, if things start to go south on the pitch for Liverpool, expect to see a different face of the German. – Daily Mail